MassDOT and CSX Strike Deal to Advance Permanent Seasonal Berkshire Flyer Service
By: Laura Soukkavong
Massachusetts is moving to address the rail bottlenecks standing in the way of permanent seasonal Berkshire Flyer service. Governor Maura Healey’s administration announced an agreement between MassDOT and CSX to expand track capacity in Pittsfield, reduce conflicts between passenger and freight trains and support a lasting seasonal weekend connection between the Berkshires and New York City.
MassDOT has included $31 million for the work in its fiscal 2027-2031 Capital Investment Plan. The agreement calls for construction of a siding and other track improvements, while MassDOT will also examine the feasibility of a new platform at Pittsfield Station. Once completed, the improvements will provide infrastructure needed to support permanent seasonal weekend service.
“People in Western Massachusetts have been clear that they want better rail connections, and we’re delivering,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This agreement puts the Berkshire Flyer on a path toward permanent seasonal service and invests in the infrastructure we need to keep expanding West-East passenger rail service between Boston and Albany. Combined with new federal funding for modern trains, we’re giving people more choices, supporting local businesses and better connecting Western Massachusetts to opportunities across the Northeast.”
The Berkshire Flyer launched in 2022, providing seasonal weekend service between New York City and Pittsfield. Its 2026 season added another round trip, including new travel opportunities for Berkshire County residents heading to New York. The infrastructure agreement follows a July 2024 operations modeling study that identified Pittsfield improvements to increase capacity and reduce freight conflicts.
The administration also announced that approximately $2 billion in federal funding awarded to Amtrak through the Federal Railroad Administration’s National Railroad Partnership Program will support additional Siemens Airo trainsets. The award covers services nationwide; the administration said the new trains will also serve Massachusetts Compass Rail routes, including the Berkshire Flyer and the planned Inland Route.
That future Inland Route would connect Boston, Springfield and New Haven as the first phase of West-East Rail. The Airo trainsets are designed to offer more spacious seating, power outlets, 5G Wi-Fi, bike storage, improved accessibility and updated passenger information systems.
“This project demonstrates what strong public-private partnership and targeted infrastructure investment can accomplish,” said Andy Daly, Senior Director of Passenger Rail Operations for CSX. “These improvements will support safe, reliable passenger service while preserving the efficient freight operations that support regional businesses, communities, and economic growth.”
The Pittsfield work joins earlier investments in the administration’s broader Compass Rail program. Those include $108 million secured in 2023 for infrastructure supporting the future Inland Route, $36.8 million secured in 2024 for Springfield Union Station track reconfiguration design, and $3.5 million for the Boston-Albany Corridor Service Development Plan.
MassDOT-supported Compass Rail services currently operated by Amtrak include the Vermonter, Valley Flyer, Hartford Line and Berkshire Flyer. Future plans include the Inland Route and expanded Boston-Albany service through Pittsfield, alongside planning and design for a Palmer station. The new agreement advances that network while preserving space for freight operations.
